Abraham Inman

In the little country cemetery of Bethlehem, halfway between Troy and Obion, lie the last remains of the first Inman, so far as I know, to become a permanent resident of Obion County. He had moved from Marshall County, Mississippi, to Obion County in 1846.

His full name was Abraham Inman, his dates 1805-1885 , his occupations farmer and blacksmith. He married Melissa Branch from Maury County, Tennessee, and they had nine children.

The oldest child was Nicholas Franklin Inman (1830-1896), who married Margaret Sinkler, and they had three children who lived to be grown, Robert, Annie and Naomi. Franklin joined the Confederate Army and 'went through the stormy scenes of Shiloh, Tupelo, Chattanooga, Knoxville and Murfreesboro.' He was a worthy member of the Masonic fraternity.
Arabella Inman (b. 1834) married J. E. Davidson and had a son, Abraham Davidson. Abraham married Anna Richardson, and their children were Earl, Lena and Lara (twins), and Robert.
J. Fletcher Inman (1835-1894) married Martha Ann Buchanan on November 11, 1858. He was a farmer and a sawmill operator, a member of the Methodist Church South and a Royal Arch Mason. A quote from the yellowed page of his obituary says: 'Fletcher Inman was one of the standard landmarks of Obion County. He was a quiet man, his speech was brief and to the point, and he meddled in nobody's business.'
Fletcher and Martha Ann had seven children: Margaret Isabella (called Belle), Eliza, Roxie, Joseph A., Sallie T., Wade and Abraham. Only two of them had children that lived to be adults. Joseph married Esther Grisham of Newbern, Tennessee, and they had two daughters, Mary and Ruth. Sallie married E. W. (Doc) Wilson, son of William M. Wilson. Their daughter, Iris Wilson Hilliard, is writing this sketch.
Eliza Ann Inman (b. 1837) married J. E. Hailey. They had two sons, Avery and Manley (Dick). Manley married Margaret Brown and had two children, Lottie and Fred.
Thomas R. Inman (b. 1839) married Amanda Boone, and they had four children: John, Bird, Walter and Osro. When Amanda died, Thomas married the twice-widowed Eliza Hoover Cox Culp, who brought two sons, Will Cox and Tom Culp into the family. Thomas and Eliza had one daughter, Nora. Thomas was a Second Lieutenant in the Confederate Army from January 1862 to the end of the Civil War. He was wounded three times. He was a Democrat and a member of the M. E. Church South.
Hezekiah (1840-1868)
Lutie H. (b. 1851) married Dr. S. W. McDaniel, who had wide medical practice both in Obion and Lake counties. They had two sons, Ira and Elmer.
Melissa (b. 1853).
Margaret (b. 1856).

I think my great-grandfather, Abraham Inman, must have been a good man and a happy one. His epitaph quotes his last word as a joyous 'Hallelujah!'

by Iris Wilson Hilliard

"History of Obion County Tennessee, Volume 1; page 204

I also have part of his obituary from a yellowed newspaper clipping--no date or name of paper: "Alas! in death's dark chamber hangs the curtain of gloom, but the finger of God will loop it back with a golden crown for the faithful. Death's sable wings has again o'erspread our mortal sky, and on his icy plumes has wafted another spirit away. Died at the residence of his son, T. R. Inman, Father Abram Inman October 30th, 1884, in the 85th year of his age. Silently the death angel came and harvested the golden sheaf that was only waiting to be gathered into the garner of God. Father Inman has long been a resident of this county, and is widely known as a veteran warrior of Christ. He was one of the founders of Bethlehem church, and 'neath his blazing star of hope doubtless many have been ushered into light.

He was a devoted Christian, and with delight he wrought for the Master, ever gathering bright laurels of goodness to entwine o'er the brow of his beloved church. Though the lamp of his mortal life is extinguished, there yet radiates o'er the mind of this people the brilliant flame of his ecclesiastical life. For some months past age and affliction have crushed the vitality of his being, and ere long we find his frail body nearing the chilling stream of death. Though his tottering frame was withered with the severing touch of disease yet he bore it with patience and humility and was enabled through it all to enunciate "Glory." Softly and sweetly he fell asleep in the arms of Jesus..." (the remainder of the clipping is missing.)